Explore every episode of the podcast Say the Damn Score Sportscasting Podcast

This weeks guest is Geoff Arnold. He does both radio and TV for the Baltimore Orioles. Topics of discussion include:

• Picking a college without a broadcast program.
• How working with a judge led to changing his career course from studying law to broadcasting.
• Getting his foot in the door at IMG College with a group of future stars.

This episode features Chris King, the radio voice of Washington State football and mens basketball. Topics of discussion include:

• Calling his first games as a 15 year old and what he did with the VHS tape evidence of those games.
• Choosing the Murrow School of Communications at Washington State University.
• The internship that solidified his decision to pursue sports over news.

In this episode we chat with Jesse Goldberg-Strassler. He’s the MiLB voice of the Lansing Lugnuts and the author of the Baseball and Football Thesaurus. Topics of discussion include:

• The station and broadcaster that was on in his house as a kid that helped him fall in love with the craft.
• His passion for baseball stories at an early age.

In this episode I talk with Tony Castricone, the radio voice of the Washington Huskies. This is his second time on the show, so if you want to hear about how he came up in the business and details from earlier in his career, click the link below:

http://www.saythedamnscore.com/ep-018-tony-castricone-clemson-university-mbb-img-network-manager/… Read More

• How being an overnight success took a long time.
• How teaching helped him survive the pandemic shutdown.
• Using the pandemic shutdown to get in touch with broadcasting decision makers.
• The players choosing to boycott during his first college football game.
• Dealing with the pressure of an audition game.

In this episode I visit with Travis Justice the long time TV, radio, and podcast personality in Omaha, NE & Des Moines, IA. Topics of discussion include:

• Filling the broadcast void as a freelancer despite retiring from the business full time.
• Working remotely before it was popular.
• Why he chose to go to Grand View College in Des Moines instead of enlisting in the military.

In this episode we visit with Jake Marsh of Barstool Sports. Topics of discussion include:

• Getting his start with the school newspaper is Weston Florida.
• Going through the admission process to be accepted at Syracuse
• Building experience through ACC Network Plus as a student.
• The friendly competitive process at Syracuse.
• Taking the mens bball job at the University of Vermont immediately after college.

James Westling is back! James was our guest in episode 68 five years ago and since then his career has taken off. Topics of discussion include:

How a gig calling Central Arkansas led to his big break.

The dinner that got him in touch with the Mothership Network.

Adding a building block every year.

The value of investing in talent coaching.… Read More

This episode features my conversation with Troy Clardy. He’s the voice of Stanford University and a national radio announcer for Compass Media and Westwood One. Topics of discussion include:… Read More

This show starts out with a tribute to Vin Scully with clips from Joe Davis, Tom Boman, and Bob Costas. We then get into our feature interview with Sam Niedermann. He’s the voice of Stony Brook University and made his network debut last year for Westwood One. Topics of discussion include:

• Choosing to go to school at Alabama before transferring to Indiana.

My conversation with one of the top radio producers in the country. Larry Costigan was formerly the coordinating producer for Westwood One Sports and is currently a freelance producer and editorial consultant for CBS. Topics of discussion include:

• How an internship at Seton Hall started his professional career.
• Making the decision to pursue a career behind the scenes instead of on the mic.

My conversation with Jack Benjamin, the voice of the FCS Nicholls Colonels. Topics of discussion include:

• Hearing his work after the 2018 NSMA Banquet.
• Being happier about the opportunities he has gotten as opposed to being frustrated about the ones that got away.
• Being a native New Yorker and picking Santa Clara University over the traditional broadcasting powers.

This episode features my conversation with Larry Morgan, the voice of Drake University hoops and a stalwart of the Des Moines market. Topics of discussion include:

• Continuing to learn and work on his craft even after 40+ years in the business.
• The parts of the business that bring him happiness.
• How stops in Illinois and California led to him eventually find his way to the Des Moines market.

This episode features John Liddle. He’s a news anchor at legendary station KRLD in Dallas. He also does games for numerous outlets in the DFW market. Topics of discussion include:

• The pros and cons of giving up a DI job to take a news job at KRLD, a prestigious station in the DFW market.

This episode features my conversation with Adam Young, the TV Voice and Director of Broadcasting at New Mexico State. Topics of discussion include:

• His unique director of broadcasting position.
• His role, or lack their of, when New Mexico State qualifies for the NCAA Tournament.
• The relationship he has with their long time radio announcer.

In this episode I chat with Dave Jackson, host of the School of Podcasting, highly respected podcast expert, and podcasting hall of famer. It’s no surprise that we dive into all things podcasting, especially as it pertains to sportscasters. Topics of discussion include:

• The perks of being a podcast hall of famer.

My conversation with the voice of the NAHL’s St. Cloud Norsemen. She shares long and winding road to become the only female lead voice in U.S. Junior Hockey. Topics of discussion include:

• How playing in the band led to her choice to attend Morningside College in Sioux City Iowa as a Pennsylvania native.

In this episode I chat with long time sportscasting friend John Kurtz. He was a long time play-by-play broadcaster and talk show host in Manhattan, Kansas before moving to KC. We dive into the challenges provided by the sportscasting business and how he’s pursued alternative paths towards sportscasting success. Topics include:

• Being runner up for the Jim Nantz Award in 2011.

This episode is guest-less. Instead I share how personal tragedy has forced some deep soul searching into what matters most in my life and career. In this episode I share what we went through the last year and why I needed a break from the show. I look deeply into the things I love about the industry and how to maximize them.… Read More

In this episode I visit with Robb Hipp, the voice of Sam Houston State. He has a long and winding path and has succeeded in the business without a traditional broadcasting education. Topics of discussion include:

• Why he was a late bloomer getting into radio and all of the unique jobs he had before finding his passion.

In this episode we discuss how to create your own opportunities as a sportscasting entrepreneur with Gerald Sanchez, the owner of the Legacy Sports Network in the Houston metro. Topics of discussion include:

• Catching the radio itch at 5 years old.
• The two Houston broadcasters who influenced his style.
• How the legendary Houston Cougar Phi Slamma Jamma squad led to him attending Houston University instead of a more traditional powerhouse broadcasting factory.

This episode features my conversation with Mike Kelly, the radio voice of Missouri Tiger football and basketball. Topics of discussion include:

• How his student station influenced his life goal from wanting to be an attorney to a becoming broadcaster.
• His experience in small town radio.’
• Working for free as a correspondent at legendary station KMOX to get a foot in the door.

In this episode I visit with J.J. Duke and Joe Vasile. Mr. Duke is a freelance broadcaster on the east coast who has covered Fairfield University, Rider University, Yale University, and many more. He’s also a former MiLB voice and podcast co-host. Joe is the women’s basketball voice of Bucknell University, number three broadcaster for the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Railriders and podcast co-host.… Read More

My conversation with the TV voice of the Memphis Grizzlies, Pete Pranica. Topics of discussion include:

• The one pen he has to have for all of his game prep.
• How listening to the radio in rural Wisconsin led to his love of sportscasting.
• Going to the same high school as Kevin Harlan.

My conversation with Neil Price, who’s the radio voice of Mississippi State football and men’s basketball. Topics of discussion include:

• The truck ride with his dad that led to his passion for play-by-play.
• Being the voice of a team he rooted against as a kid.
• How his small town upbringing led to on air opportunities as early as middle school.

This week features John Thayer, the voice of the University of South Dakota Coyotes, as a guest host. He visits with Matt Coatney, the women’s basketball hoops voice of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Topics of discussion include:

• The challenges of covering college football during a pandemic.
• The importance of understanding medical terminology surrounding Covid 19 to help inform fans.

This episode is guest hosted by Bill Hupp, a freelance broadcaster in the Twin Cities. He visits with the play-by-play voice of the Minnesota United of the MLS. Topics of discussion include:

• When the broadcasting bug first bit.
• Why he loves the business of sports broadcasting.
• The importance of the support from his parents while chasing the dream.

Eric Little guest hosts and visits with Jay Burnham who broadcasts for UMass and VCU. He also spent 16 years as an MiLB broadcaster. Topics of discussion include:

• Eric Little introduces himself and says nice things about the SayTheDamnScore Podcast.
• He introduces Jay Burnham and discusses the importance of his wife in his sportscasting journey.

Guest host John Liddle chats with George Dunham who was the former long time voice of North Texas hoops and standout sports talk host on 96.7 The Ticket. Topics of discussion include:

• He shares how his experience at North Texas led to him catching the radio bug.
• The magical experience behind his first on air sportscast.

This is the first of what will be several shows guest hosted by my friends in the industry as I deal with some personal issues. Chris Lewis, the voice of Boise State womens hoops, steps into pinch hit for this episode. He visits with Meghan McPeak of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics & NBA G League Capital City GoGo.… Read More

This week is a solo show where I share some of the personal and professional difficulties in my life and how they may have a short term effect on this podcast. Also, I share my philosophy on handling and overcoming adversity in sportscasting and life in general. Thank you to everyone who has ever listened to or downloaded this podcast.… Read More

In this episode I chat with Ted Emrich, who does work for Westwood One, ESPN, Fox Sports SW, and many others. Topics of discussion include:

• His broadcast schedule during the pandemic.
• Doing golf on the radio on a monitor.
• Getting hired as a spotter by Westwood One as a high schooler.

This episode features my conversation with former coworker Adam St. Paul from Dakota Broadcasting in Aberdeen, SD. We relive stories from our time working together, including:

• The Homecoming Fiasco: How it taught us to be careful in our criticism of high school athletes.
• The Phone Line Heist: Always make sure to prepare the logistical aspects of a broadcasts.

My conversation with Tom Leach, the radio voice of University of Kentucky football and basketball. Topics of discussion include:

• What he’s doing to get through the days during the pandemic.
• How he gets through his daily talk show without any sports.
• Setting his goal to one day be the voice of the Wildcats as an 8th grader.

In this episode I chat with Tim Healey, the radio voice of the Arizona State Sun Devils in football, basketball, and baseball. Topics of discussion include:

• What he’s doing to stay sharp as a play-by-play broadcaster during the pandemic.
• Why he walks 4.2 miles on his regular walks to honor former Sun Devil Pat Tillman.

In this episode I’m joined by Steve Herz, a sports media agent and President of IF Management. He recently published his first book “Don’t Take Yes For An Answer.” It is a great guide to developing self awareness and self improvement strategies. Topics of discussion include:

• How he reacted after being told by an associate that he was a horrible associate and should quit law.

In this episode I chat with two respected sports information professionals from different Twin Cities institutions. Paul Rovnak from the University of Minnesota and Gene McGivern from the University of St. Thomas. Topics of discussion include:

• The unique paths one can take to be an SID.

My conversation with George Grande, the former long time sportscaster for the Cincinnati Reds and anchor for the very first ESPN SportsCenter. Topics of discussion include:

• What he’s doing during his Covid 19 lockdown.
• Being on the 1969 USC baseball team with multiple future MLB Hall of Famers.
• Working as a go-fer under Vin Scully during college.

This episode features Chuck Cooperstein, the radio voice of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. Topics of discussion include:

• What he’s doing during this time of social distancing.
• The benefits of reading for broadcasters.
• The influence of Marv Albert and other classic New York broadcasters on his career.
• Knowing what he wanted to do at a very young age.

This episode features Dick Vitale who is obviously a long time analyst for ESPN. Topics of discussion include:

• What he’s doing during this time of quarantine.
• The characteristics in play-by-play broadcasters that he values as an analyst.
• How his preparation differs from his play-by-play partners.
• What his partners do to get the best out of him during blowout games.

My conversation with Pete Weber, the radio voice of the NHL’s Nashville Predators. Topics of discussion include:

• What he’s doing during this time of quarantine.
• The surprising reason he is nervous about doing games with no fans.
• How a fortuitous bathroom break led to his first play-by-play experience as a high schooler.

Our second conversation with Ian Eagle the voice of the Brooklyn Nets. He also is a network broadcaster for CBS and Westwood One. Topics of discussion include:

His quarantine activities.

His attempt at growing a quarantine beard.

Has he seen Tiger King yet?

The last thing he left the house for.

My conversation with long time network studio host and play-by-play broadcaster Tim Brando. He’s been with ESPN, Turner, CBS, and is currently with Fox Sports. Topics of discussion include:

Covering the last televised game of the 2019-2020 basketball season.

What he’s doing during his time social distancing.

Writing a book and what the chapter on the Covid 19 might look like.

Episode 112 features my conversation with Sean McDonough. The voice of the Red Sox and national network broadcaster for ESPN. Topics of discussion include:

How not getting accepted to Notre Dame and ending up at Syracuse was a blessing in disguise.

What he was like as a student.

A head football coach arranging a scholarship for him at Syracuse during a time of financial hardship.

In this episode I visit with Brendan Gulick, a freelance broadcaster based in Cleveland Ohio. Topics of discussion include:

Building a full time freelance schedule.

How catching mono as a junior in high school led to him starting the now prestigious broadcast club at St. Ignatius High School.

The lineage of success that followed him from that broadcast club.

This episode features my conversation with Dave Will, part of the two man broadcast team for the Tampa Bay Rays. Topics of discussion include:

How listening to Harry Caray and working in fast food helped him develop his passion for sportscasting.

Having his voice recognized in unusual places.

Choosing to go to Elmhurst College.

My conversation with John Forslund, the TV voice of the Carolina Hurricanes. Topics of discussion include:

How a famous Bobby Orr goal on Mother’s Day led to him falling in love with the craft of sportscasting.

Becoming a hockey nut despite growing up in the home town of the Basketball Hall of Fame.

My Conversation with Dan Shulman who works for ESPN and Sportsnet where he covers the Toronto Bluejays:

Why having a Canadian accent was never an issue in his broadcasting career in America.

Being a late bloomer in sportscasting after going to school for actuarial science.

Realizing that being an actuary wasn’t for him and taking the leap into broadcasting.

My conversation with Pat Hughes, the radio voice of the Chicago Cubs. Topics of discussion include:

The influence of legendary Bay Area broadcasters Lon Simmons, Bill King, and Russ Hodges influenced his desire to dive into sportscasting.

How he learns from other broadcasters without copying what they do.

What he still does to get better.

His style of working unique storytelling elements into his broadcasts.

This Episode features my conversation with Noah Eagle, the radio voice of the LA Clippers. He’s also the son of broadcast legend Ian Eagle. Topics of discussion include:

Showing interest in his father’s career path as a young child.

Developing a love of performance as a high schooler.

Why he chose to go to Syracuse and why he almost went to school somewhere else.